Monday October 19, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s civil aviation authority and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) signed an agreement to strengthen aviation safety oversight, including recognition of two internationally used audit programs for airlines and ground operations.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed Saturday in Mogadishu by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Farah Nuh, Somali Civil Aviation Authority Director General Ahmed Moallim Hassan and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East.
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Under the agreement, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority will recognize the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) as acceptable means of compliance with national regulations, complementing its own safety oversight functions.
The programs will complement, rather than replace, the authority’s own regulatory and safety oversight functions.
“Global safety standards are the cornerstone of efficient and safe operations. Through this MoU, we will work with the Somali CAA towards the continuous improvement of safety standards, promote the adoption of industry best practices, and foster a culture of safety across the aviation sector. This partnership reflects our mutual dedication to advancing aviation safety for the benefit of passengers, operators and the wider aviation industry in Somalia and Africa,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East.
adinside1IOSA is an internationally recognized audit system designed to assess an airline’s operational management and control systems. More than 450 airlines are currently listed on the IOSA registry, and all IATA member airlines are required to maintain IOSA registration.
ISAGO applies similar standardized oversight to companies providing ground-handling services at airports. IATA says the program is intended to reduce operational risks, improve consistency in ground handling and limit duplication between audits conducted by airlines, airports and regulators.
The agreement forms part of IATA’s Focus Africa initiative, which includes efforts to improve aviation safety, infrastructure, connectivity and regulatory standards across the continent.
The agreement signed in Mogadishu comes as authorities continue rebuilding a civil aviation system that was severely weakened after the collapse of the central government in 1991.
The country has gradually reestablished national control over aviation functions, including management of Somali airspace and regulatory oversight of airlines and airports.